Page 14 - Education August 2024
P. 14
Why Was I Tested on This?
Understanding How Bloom’s Taxonomy
Shapes Assessments
By Nicola Killops
as your child ever come home basic characteristics of vertebrates and If they studied vertebrates, they
frustrated, insisting they were later use this knowledge to compare should be able to use this knowledge
Htested on material not taught different animals. to identify characteristics in various
in class? This is a common concern Crafting Assessments: Tests include a animals.
among students and parents alike. mix of questions, from recalling facts Provide Practical Support: Develop
Teachers use a framework called to applying concepts in new contexts. study habits that go beyond
Bloom’s Taxonomy to help students Your child might study lions and snakes memorisation. Encourage your child
develop a wide range of cognitive but be tested on elephants and lizards, to explain concepts in their own words
skills. Understanding this approach can focusing on the broader concept and practise applying their knowledge
help you support your child better. of vertebrates rather than specific to new problems.
animals. Communicate with Teachers: If your
Why Teachers Use Bloom’s Encouraging Higher-Order Thinking: child frequently feels unprepared,
Taxonomy The aim is to move students beyond discuss this with their teacher.
Bloom’s Taxonomy is a tool that simple memorisation. By including Understanding the teacher’s
teachers use to structure lessons tasks that require analysis, evaluation, expectations and getting tips on
and assessments. Its goal is to move and creation, teachers help students supporting your child’s learning can be
students beyond memorising facts to use their knowledge in new and very helpful.
understanding, applying, analysing, meaningful ways.
evaluating, and creating knowledge. Making Bloom’s Taxonomy
This method ensures that students Why Your Child Felt Unprepared Relatable
are well-prepared for real-world It’s common for students to feel To help your child relate to Bloom’s
problem-solving and critical thinking. like they were tested on unfamiliar Taxonomy, compare it to activities they
Specifically, the IEB (Independent material. Here’s why this happens and enjoy:
Examinations Board) strongly how you can support them: Remembering (Knowledge): Like
emphasises higher-order thinking Explain the Process: Help your child memorising the rules of a favourite
skills, making it even more crucial for understand that exams test not just game.
students to engage deeply with the memory but also understanding and Understanding (Comprehension):
material. the ability to apply knowledge. For Explaining the plot of a movie to a
example, knowing the characteristics friend.
How Bloom’s Taxonomy is of mammals can help them answer Applying (Application): Using a recipe
Applied in Lessons and Tests questions about any mammal, not just to cook a meal.
Designing Lessons: Lessons start with the ones they studied in class. Analysing (Analysis): Figuring out why
basic knowledge and progress to Encourage Reflection: Ask your child a character in a book made a certain
more complex thinking. For instance, to think about how what they learned decision.
students might begin by learning the in class applies to different situations. Evaluating (Evaluation): Judging a
talent show performance.
Creating (Synthesis): Inventing a new
game or story.
Understanding Bloom’s
Taxonomy Verbs
The Bloom’s Taxonomy Verbs chart
provides a visual guide to the action
words associated with each level
of Bloom’s Taxonomy. These verbs
illustrate the different cognitive
skills that students are expected to
develop, from basic tasks like “recall”
and “describe” at the Remembering
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